Realizing the potential of population information from seal photo-ID studies

在过去的二十年里，英国各地的海豹种群在分布和数量上发生了重大变化。大部分英国灰海豹和斑海豹生活在苏格兰沃茨，但这两个种群的重要部分也分散在整个爱尔兰海（包括威尔士），西南部（康沃尔，锡利群岛，布列塔尼），诺福克，林肯郡和诺森伯兰郡。爱尔兰在其南部和西部海岸也有大量的海豹种群。跟踪研究表明，海豹能够在几天内移动很远的距离;相反，繁殖群体的特点是海豹仍然忠于以前的繁殖地，甚至是它们的出生地。最近英国海豹种群趋势的变化使人们关注的事实是，不同地区海豹之间的“联系程度”仍然不清楚。由于海豹有独特的图案，可以识别个体，因此利用照片识别技术从不同地区收集了大量关于海豹种群的数据。除了SMRU照片身份证研究，这些海豹种群的本地研究已经创建了自己的照片身份证目录，在图像数量，地理范围和调查持续时间方面差异很大。由于种群中的海豹数量众多，收集的数据量也很大，因此需要计算机辅助匹配来进行有用的比较。现有的图像匹配软件无法处理大量现有图像，因此需要新的软件。该项目旨在建立一个参与印章照片身份证的合作伙伴网络，并通过培训讲习班和网络资源更新他们在照片身份证方面的知识和技能。将开发新的图像处理软件，以便纳入以前无法获得的许多旧图像。合作伙伴将受益于其照片身份证方案和数据库效率的提高，这反过来将为科学界提供信息。还有可能通过生态旅游将惠益扩大到地方经济。

Over the past two decades, seal populations around Britain have undergone substantial changes in distribution and abundance. Most of the UK's grey and harbour seals live in Scottish waters, but significant parts of both populations also occur fragmented throughout the Irish Sea (including Wales), the southwest (Cornwall, Scilly Isles, Brittany), Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Northumberland. Ireland also has significant seal populations around its south and west coasts. Tracking studies have shown that seals are quite capable of moving great distances in a matter of days; conversely breeding colonies are characterised by seals that remain faithful to previous breeding sites and even to where they were born. Recent changes in UK seal population trends have focussed attention on the fact that the 'degree of connectedness' between seals in different areas remains unclear. A large amount of data from different areas has been collected on seal populations, using the technique of photo-identification (photo-ID), as seals have unique patterns allowing individuals to be identified. In addition to SMRU photo-ID research, locally based studies of these seal populations have created their own photo-ID catalogues, ranging greatly in number of images, geographic extent and duration of survey. Because of the large number of seals in the population and the large quantity of data collected, computer-aided matching is needed to make useful comparisons. Existing software for matching images doesn't deal with a large number of existing images and new software is required. This project aims to form a network of partners involved in seal photo-ID and update their knowledge and skills in photo-ID through training workshops and web-based resources. New image processing software will be developed to allow inclusion of many old images previously unavailable. Partners will benefit from the increased efficiency of their photo-ID programmes and databases which will in turn inform the science community. There is also the potential for benefits to extend to local economies through ecotourism.